Couchsurfing

The first thought that came into my head when I saw the word couchsurfing was how everything (except the dining room table) in our house either reclines, folds out, or is an actual bed and how every item has been used for sleeping by someone at one time or another and sometimes all at one time. Couchsurfing definitely differs from staying overnight at Grandma’s house though because it involves entrusting your “couch” to strangers, travelers looking for affordable adventure and new friends. Although we have accommodated people I didn't know directly all the strangers that have couchsurfed at our house were friends of family (kids and grandkids) that have either couchsurfed here or resided here at one time or another.

My second thought was about saying “thank you” to the friendly folks on Andros that graciously allowed our visiting family and friends to couchsurf in their regular rooms while they were off island or in their spare rooms. Without them our friends and family might have found out just how uncomfortable sleeping on an inflatable in the closet at 711 might have been!

Actually couchsurfing dates back to 1999 and is resurging in popularity with the help of social media and good old fashioned word of mouth. It’s free lodging sometimes in exchange for a meal out or a drink, or a promise of an open couch in Barcelona, Budapest, or who knows? Maybe St. Marys, Georgia!